NZC congratulates Auckland Aces

New Zealand Cricket has congratulated the Auckland Aces on qualifying for the main draw of the Champions League Twenty20 competition in South Africa.

The Aces won both their qualifying matches against Pakistan’s Sialkot Stallions and English side Hampshire and will now join nine other teams to vie for the top prize.

Having beaten Sialkot by six wickets early on Wednesday morning, they then ensured their progression with a comprehensive eight wicket win over Hampshire earlier today.

They now go into Group B where they will play four pool matches and be required to finish in the top two to progress to the semi-finals.

“Progressing past the qualifying stage is an excellent achievement,” said NZC Chief Executive, David White.

“It shows that the teams in the New Zealand HRV Cup competition have the quality to compete with sides from any league in the world and we’re looking forward to watching Auckland closely in the main event.”

The Aces will play the first of their pool matches against the Kolkata Knight Riders on October 16 at 4:30am NZ time.